earthly appointment. It is not an outward and visible kingdom, directing the common affairs of state. It has little to do with the petty politics of sublunary things. It is a kingdom established in men's hearts, a government of religious and pious influence, a system of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost. Its sceptre is swayed over the emotions of the soul, which it subjects to the rule of Jesus, " casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ."

But what says Balaam of this glorious light and king? "I shall see him, but not now. I shall behold him but not nigh." This was true in one sense, for Balaam saw him through a period of fifteen hundred years which had still to run before his actual appearance. It was true in a far more important sense to himself personally, for he has yet to see him, and the day in which he shall come in his glory, to execute the final judgment upon him and upon all the workers of

iniquity. "Behold he cometh with clouds: and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him." "Abraham rejoiced to see the day of Christ and he saw it and was glad," and though it was further off in point of time than when Balaam had this view of it, yet Abraham even then had Jesus nigh unto him, for he dwelt in his heart by faith, while Balaam had Jesus far off from him, for his heart was full of covetousness, and of evil designs and practises against his people.

Oh! that we may be enabled to see the Lord Jesus by faith and after a spiritual manner. There is a view of him which the mind may take though he be not seen by the eye in visible form, nor in vision by the spirit. There is a looking unto Jesus which can purify, animate, strengthen, and comfort the soul. God give unto you, my brethren, such a view of Christ. And as you thus look upon him, may you become the willing subjects of his spiritual kingdom. Oh! that you may also be nigh unto him, and he unto you,

and that you may feel all the power, happiness, and joy of his presence with you. Then what present privileges and blessings will be yours? Holy and heavenly peace, joy in the light of his countenance, instruction and guidance in his ways, protection from all adversities, victory over all enemies, with every other blessing that is promised in the gospel, or necessary for your comfort and salvation. And oh! what a view of Christ awaits his faithful people! when they enter with him into his heavenly kingdom, and see him as he is. If he be now precious to your hearts by faith, if he be one "whom having not seen ye love, in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory." Oh how blissful will be the sight of him, when you are admitted into his immediate presence, and behold him in the effulgence of his glory.

SERMON IX.

THE ZEAL OF PHINEHAS.

NUMBERS XXV. 11—13.

Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, hath turned my wrath away from the children of Israel, while he was zealous for my sake among them, that I consumed not the children of Israel in my jealousy. Wherefore say, Behold, I give umto him my covenant of peace: and he shall have it, and his seed after him, even the covenant of an everlasting priesthood; because he was zealous for his God, and made an atonement for the children of Israel.

We have seen, in the preceding sermons, the fruitless attempts of Balak and Balaam to curse the people whom God had blessed. Their attempts had recoiled upon their own

heads. The disappointment of these two confederates was great, and they had mutual dissatisfaction with each other. Balak had obtained no aid against the people whom he feared, and Balaam had lost the wealth and honours which he desired. A more extraordinary and baser character than this latter can scarcely be conceived. Even after all that passed in his mind, the wishes he had had, and the hopes he had entertained, we might reasonably conclude, that when such an overruling influence had been upon him, when he had been so plainly shewn the intentions of God respecting the children of Israel, he would have gone to his home, and have humbled himself before God for his attempts to harm them, would have henceforth taken their part and joined himself to them. But money, accursed money, was still the object of his desire and aim, and if he could not obtain the rewards of Balak in one way, he would try to succeed in another, nor were the means which he afterwards took to procure it less infamous than those which were adopted by Judas Iscariot himself.

VOL. IV.

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